Obama's celebrate coming Sequestration by hosting dinner, Big Bird, and Oscar Presentation at White House

Friday March 1st is the day when the Administration's 2011 proposed Sequestration becomes effective. And as the President warns of looming layoffs and seeks more tax revenue from those still working, the First Family spent the week lavishly spending and entertaining themselves.

To divert attention from themselves, the President first sat for television and radio interviews, presumably foretelling the "Doom and Gloom" of the Sequestration Automatic Budget Cuts (see Weekly Address: Congress Must Act Now to Stop the Sequester)

But while he was doing this, Michelle Obama was hosting Big Bird at the White House for purposes of kicking off her 3rd year promoting "Let's Move" on Thursday. Then Friday, she flew to New York and taped an appearance on Jimmy Fallon. While she was gone, Mr. Obama was hosting he Prime Minister of Japan at the White House.

When Sunday arrived, the two hosted the annual Governor's Dinner in the White House State Room.

However, the big moment came late on Sunday evening when Mrs. Obama presented the Oscar for the Best Picture, Argo.


Keeping with the theme, both Obama's appeared and spoke at the National Governors Meeting on Monday.

Now today, President Obama is hopping on Air Force One and flying to Virginia to give a one hour speech about sequester. While he is away, Mrs. Obama again flew to New York City and appeared on Good Morning America.

All this, and Sequestration is less than 3 days away!

To be fair, Mr. Obama did attend to a little U.S. Governmental business. During the week, he received daily briefings each weekday morning, met with John Kerry, and with his senior advisers once.

Below is a summary of President Obama's official schedule during the week of Wednesday February 20 through Tuesday February 26 2013.

Today, Tuesday, February 26, 2013

• President Obama received a daily briefing at 10:05 AM. Then fifty minutes later, he left the White House and flew to Newport News VA. There, he will make a speech about sequester at 1:05 PM. One hour later, he will fly back to DC and be in the White House by 3:05 PM. 
• Mrs. Obama flew to New York City and appeared on Good Morning America. (see: Healthier Recipes Now Just a Click Away)

Monday, February 25, 2013

• President Obama attended a daily briefing at 10:00 AM. He then delivered remarks to the National Governors Association at 11:05 AM. Interestingly, Michelle Obama and Jill Biden also spoke there, asking the Governors to help lower the State professional licensing requirements for military personnel and their spouses.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

• President Obama hosted the National Governors Association Dinner in the State Dining Room.
• Mrs. Obama announced the Best Picture Oscar winner live from the White House.

Friday, February 22, 2013

• President Obama began the day at 10:15 AM with a daily briefing. Then, at 11 AM, he attended the Democratic Governors Association Meeting. Next, Mr. Obama held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan. Lastly, he and VP Biden had lunch with the Prime Minister at 1:15 PM.
• Michelle Obama flew to New York City and taped an appearance on Jimmy Fallon's "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon".

Thursday, February 21, 2013

• President Obama started the day with an early with a 9:30 AM daily briefing. He then met with his Senior advisers at 10:45 AM. When that was over 45 minutes later, Mr. Obama recorded radio interviewed with Al Sharpton, Joe Madison and Yolanda Adams (11:25 AM).
• Mrs. Obama filmed two Public Service Announcements with Big Bird at the White House (see Big Bird Visits the White House)

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

• President Obama received a daily briefing at 10:30 AM. Next up on his agenda was lunch with VP Biden at 12:30 PM. After, Mr. Obama was interviewed by regional TV outlets at 2 PM. Lastly, he and Mr. Biden met with John Kerry.

After SOTU, Obama golfs in Florida while family skis in Colorado

After delivering the State of the Union Address last Tuesday evening, President Obama took to the skies again. Just like the old campaign days, Mr. Obama visited North Carolina, Georgia, and Illinois,working the crowds. His intent was to push his aggressive tax and spend agenda.

Realizing that he needed a little "governmental face time", Mr. Obama found time on two of the past 7 days to receive a daily briefing.

But, the long President's Day weekend was near. So, the Obama family split in two separate directions. Mr. Obama flew to Florida to spend 3 days in the sun, receiving golfing lessons and playing several rounds of golf. Mrs. Obama, however, took the girls and her friends to Aspen Colorado for a long weekend of skiing. Additionally, the Biden's spent the weekend skiing in Aspen as well!

While no one can begrudge the First Family of taking vacations, it just seems rather ironic that the President continues to "bash the rich", and then he rushes off with his "rich" friends and "donors" for extravagantly expensive vacations. Not only do they just get away, but they take their friends as well - and we, the taxpayers, pay for it all (one way or another).

Below is a summary of the Presidents official schedule during the week of Wednesday February 13 through Tuesday February 19 2013.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

• President Obama receives a daily briefing at 9:45 AM. Next, he plans to speak at 10:45 AM, "challenging Republicans to ... " raise taxes (Obama to press Congress again for sequester fix).
• VP Biden participates in a Facebook Town Hall on gun violence.

Monday, February 18, 2013

• President Obama golfed with Ron Kirk, Eric Whitaker, and Marvin Nicholson. At night, he returned from his golfing vacation with Reggie Love. They landed on Air Force One at 7:45 PM, and Mr. Obama then spoke to reporters for a few minutes. (Obama Talks Off Record With Press on Flight Home).

Sunday, February 17, 2013

• Mr. Obama golfed with Tiger Woods.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

• Mr. Obama  spent the long President's Day weekend at the Floridian. Mr. Obama "rented out all three of the four-bedroom guest cottages on the grounds of The Floridian for the whole of the long weekend, as well about 20 hotel rooms from the nearby Holiday Inn- which is about 20 minutes drive from the course- for his traveling entourage of press and security." The guesstimate cost of the trip was approximately $1 million. (Finally! Obama is snapped leaving $1m golfing weekend with Tiger Woods after he imposed controversial picture black out)
• Michelle Obama flew to Aspen Colorado for a weekend of ski lessons and skiing. She arrived with her 2 daughters and a few friends (All downhill for Obama gals).

Friday, February 15, 2013

• President Obama received a daily briefing at 9:30 AM. One half hour later (10:00 AM) the President met with President Giorgio Napolitano of Italy. Then at 11:10 AM, he welcomed  18 recipients of the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal. One hour later, Mr. Obama departed the White House and flow to Chicago where he discussed proposals he made in the State of the Union Address. Mr. Obama left Chicago at 5:30 PM and flew directly to West Palm Beach Florida for a weekend of golf.
• Both VP Joe Biden and his wife flew to Aspen Colorado for a weekend of skiing.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

• President Obama left the White House at 9:35 AM and flew to Decatur GA where he first visited a prekindergarten classroom, and then spoke at the Community Recreation Center there. He left Deactur and arrived back in DC at 4:25 PM, just in time to participate in a Google+ "Fireside Hangout" at 4:50 PM.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

• President Obama left the White house at 9:35 AM and flew to Asheville NC. There, he toured the Linamar North Carolina Factory and delivered remarks at noon. He then flew back to Washington and arrived at the White House at 3 PM.
• Mrs. Obama welcomed students from he D.C. area and New Orleans to take part in an interactive student workshop with the cast and crew of the film "Beasts of the Southern Wild".

Obama goes to Maryland & Virginia, Biden to PA, and Michelle to Chicago

This past week was centered on President Obama's of posturing of the Democratic agenda. The first two days started with his attending both the House and Senate Democratic Issues Conferences. In line with this, he also met with Magic Johnson and presented the Medal of Honor to a heroic soldier. But, Mr. Obama also attended to a few presidential duties as well. He received 3 daily briefings, ate lunch with Vice President Biden, attended the National Prayer Breakfast, hosted a farewell ceremony for Leon Panetta, and nominated a new Secretary of Interior.

Traveling was delegated to his wife and vice president. Mrs. Obama flew to Chicago to attend a funeral and Mr. Biden few to Philadelphia to speak about gun control. Interestingly enough, none of the three attended the service in Arlington TX for slain SEAL Chris Kyle.

Below is a summary of the President's agenda during the week of Wednesday February 7 through Tuesday February 12 2013.

Today, Lincoln's Birthday, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

• President Obama receives a daily briefing at 10:15 AM. The day is free until 9:00 PM when the President delivers the State of the Union Address. Afterward, he is scheduled to participate in his own Organizing for Action campaign style conference call lobbying event.

Monday, February 11, 2013

• President Obama received a daily briefing at 10:10 AM. The only other thing he did was to present the Medal of Honor to Army hero Sgt. Clinton Romesha.
• VP Biden held a roundtable discussion with law enforcement and Members of Congress at Girard College in Philadelphia.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

• First Lady Michelle Obama flew to Chicago IL and attended the funeral for Hadiya Pendleton, the 15 year old that was innocently killed as a result of gang violence in that city.

Friday, February 8, 2013

• Mister Obama had a daily briefing at 10:30 AM. Then at 1PM, he ate lunch with VP Biden. Lastly, he held a Farewell Tribute ceremony for Defense Secretary Leon Panetta at 3:55 PM..
• VP Biden held a meeting in his office with actor Bradley Cooper and director David Russell of the movie "Silver Linings Playbook".

Thursday, February 7, 2013

• President Obama, along with his wife and VP Biden, attended the National Prayer Breakfast at 8:05 AM. He then flew to Leesburg VA and spoke at the House Democratic Issues Conference. When that was over, he returned back to DC and was in the White House by 2:20 PM. Presumably after he returned, President Obama attended a meeting with Cabinet members about immigration reform. He also met with "Magic" Johnson and the two spoke about the impacts of HIV on the African American community.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

• President Obama left the White house at 9:50 and went to Annapolis MD where he attended the Senate Democratic Issues Conference. He returned to the White House at 12:45 PM and made a personnel announcement at 2 PM announcing the appointment of Sally Jewell as Secretary of Interior.
• VP Biden administered the oath of office to new Secretary of State John Kerry at 4 PM.  That evening, he spoke at the House Democratic Issues Conference.

Air Force One takes Biden to Germany & England, and Obama flies to Minnesota

When President Obama's schedule is light, it is filled up with the activities of the Vice President. During the past week, the President received 4 daily briefings, met with Leon Panetta, lunched with Hillary Clinton, handed out medals, and flew off to Minnesota to give another speech.

But, to camouflage the President's lack of activities, his agenda was covered by Vice President Biden's trip to Europe. Mr. Biden and his wife flew to Germany last Friday and they are still on the continent. In addition to Germany, the schedule notes that he is in the UK. Other than that, we do not know where else he visited on the U.S. Taxpayer funded trip.

Below is a summary of President Obama's and VP Biden's activities during the week of Wednesday January 30 through Tuesday February 5, 2013.

Today, Tuesday, February 5, 2013

• President Obama receives a daily briefing at 9:45 AM. Later, he will meet with progressive & labor leaders (at 11 AM), and then with business leaders at 3:20 PM. He will also deliver a statement at 1:15 PM, and meet with Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta at 4:30 PM.
• Mr. Biden is attending a meeting of the United Kingdom National Security Council. There, he meets with British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, British Prime Minister David Cameron, and then attends a working lunch meeting.

Monday, February 4, 2013

• President Obama left the White House at 10:15 AM and flew to Minneapolis MN. There, he participated in a discussion with local leaders and law enforcement officials; and he delivered remarks on reducing gun violence. He flew back to DC and was in the White House by 6 PM.
• Vice President Biden met with French President François Hollande. Afterward, he and his wife flew to London.
• Jill Biden met with American and French exchange students.

Friday, February 1, 2013

• President Obama had a daily briefing at 11 AM. He also presented the National Medals of Science and the National Medals of Technology and received a daily briefing at 10 AM. Innovation awards at 2:15 PM to 21 honorees.
• Joe Biden and his wife Jill flew to DC to Berlin, where he met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the German Chancellery. Next, the couple flew to Munich.

Thursday, January 31, 2013

• President Obama received a daily briefing at 10 AM.
• VP Biden attended a lunch with the Senate Democratic Policy and Communications Committee.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

• President Obama received a daily briefing at 10:15 AM. Next, he ate lunch with Hillary Clinton. In the afternoon, he was interviewed by both Telemundo and Univision in two separate short sessions.

60 Minutes, Miami Heat, and a Speech in Las Vegas

This was another light week for President Obama. During this time, he received 3 daily briefings, ate lunch with VP Biden twice, and announced 2 personnel nominations. 

For entertainment, he hosted an afternoon reception for the Miami Heat on Monday, and taped Steve Kroft "60 Minutes" joint interview with Hillary Clinton.

In addition, he is pushing two incentives: gun control and immigration. For these, he met with police chiefs and sheriffs, and is spending today flying back and forth to Las Vegas in order to give another speech. It seems quite odd that he would spend over $1 million taxpayer dollars flying to Las Vegas just to give a speech. But, no other official explanation was given for this expensive trip.

Also note that VP Biden got on the fundraising wagon again. He flew to New Orleans last Saturday to raise money for one of his fellow Democratic Senators.

Below is a summary of President Obama's weekly schedule from Wednesday January 23 to Tuesday January 29 2013.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

• President Obama left the White House at 9:20 AM and flew to Las Vegas where he is delivering remarks about immigration. Afterward, he is flying back to DC.

Monday, January 28, 2013

• President Obama had a daily briefing at 10:30 AM. He then met with police chiefs and sheriffs to discuss his gun control policies at 11:15 AM. After eating lunch with VP Biden, Mr. Obama he hosted a NBA Champions Miami Heat welcome reception at 1:40 PM.

Saturday, January 26, 2013

• Vice President Biden attended a fundraiser in New Orleans for Sen Mary Landrieu.

Friday, January 25, 2013

• President Obama made a personnel announcement at 12:10 PM naming Denis McDonough as his next Chief of Staff. Later, he and Hillary Clinton sat for a "60 Minutes" interview with Steve Kroft which aired on Sunday.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

• Mister Obama had a daily briefing at 10:25 AM. He then make a personnel announcement at 2:30 PM nominating Mary Jo White to lead the Security and Exchange Commission and Richard Cordray to continue leading the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Two hours later, at 4:35 PM, he held a meeting with Hillary Clinton.
• VP Biden participated n a Google+ Hangout about gun violence.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

• President Obama received a daily briefing at 10:30 AM. After a 12:30 PM lunch with Joe Biden, Mr. Obama was done for the day.

Celebrating with "the shrinking few", Mr. Obama is Sworn-in for four more years

President Obama completed his first term in office by receiving 3 daily briefings and preparing for his 2nd term Inauguration. As the weekend arrived, it was time for Mr. Obama to take the Presidential Constitutional Oath of Office. Unlike others before him, Mr. Obama had two swearing in ceremonies. The first was on Sunday as mandated by the Constitution. And the second was for ceremonial show on the Martin Luther King Holiday.

Among the festivities were luncheons, parades, and Balls, that Mr. Obama, his family, the Vice President, dignitaries, wealthy friends and donors (whom Mr. Obama called "the shrinking few") attended.

Below is a summary of President Obama's schedule during the week of Wednesday January 16 through Tuesday January 22 2013.

Today, Tuesday, January 22, 2013

• At 10:45 AM, Mr. Obama attended a National Prayer Service along with his wife, Michelle, and Mr. & Mrs. Biden. At 9 PM tonight, the four will attend the Staff Inaugural Ball.

Martin Luther King Day Inauguration, Monday, January 21, 2013

• The Obama family began the day by attending an 8:45 AM church service. About 2 1/2 hours later, he was sworn in at the United States Capital at 11:20 AM. After speaking, the family attended the inaugural luncheon. In the afternoon, they then participated in and watched the inaugural parade. Their evening was spent by attending two Inaugural Balls. When they were over, the Obama's hosted a private inaugural party at the White House that lasted into the middle of the night (Obamas host stars at private inaugural party)

Inauguration Day, Sunday, January 20, 2013

• President Obama first participated in a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery at 9:05 AM.  Then at 11:55 AM, the President took the official oath of office at a Constitutionally required swearing-in ceremony. At night, he attended an Inaugural Reception at The Building Museum where he also delivered remarks at 8:48 PM.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

• Both Mr. & Mrs. Obama delivered remarks at the Burrville Elementary School in Washington DC to promote the public's Volunteering on the National Day of Service.
• At 7:45 PM in the evening, both Michelle Obama and Jill Biden spoke at the Kids Inaugural Concert held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in DC.

Friday, January 18, 2013

• Mr. Obama received a daily briefing at 10:15 AM

Thursday, January 17, 2013

• Mr. Obama received a daily briefing at 10 AM

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

• President Obama received a daily briefing at 10 AM. At 11:55 AM, both he and the Vice President uneiled their gun control package.

Obama granted himself lifetime protection!

As President Obama was winding down his first term in office, he was preoccupied with planning his upcoming inauguration, replacing staff, and signing a variety of miscellaneous Bills.

His official agenda was remarkably light during the past week. His typical day started at 10 to 10:30 AM when he first received a daily briefing (four in all). Afterward, he lunched, signed Bills and made announcements. Most of his work was completed by 3 PM in the afternoon.

Mr. Obama's administrative week included meetings with President Karzai, Hillary Clinton, and various members of his staff.

However, there were three outstanding highlights in his agenda. First, he entertained the cast and crew of the TV show 1600 Penn. Then, he called the coach of the Crimson Tide. And lastly, he signed a Bill authorizing lifetime protection for himself!

Below is a summary of President Obama's official schedule during the week of Wednesday January 9 through Tuesday January 15 2013.

Today, Tuesday, January 15, 2013

• Mr. Obama received daily briefing at 10:45 AM along with VP Biden. Later, the two met again for lunch at 12:30 PM.

Monday, January 14, 2013

• President Obama spent some of the day with Joe Biden. The two begin with a daily briefing at 10:00 AM. At 11:30, Mr. Obama held a news conference. Afterward, he had lunch with Biden, and then the two met with Hillary Clinton at 2:30 PM.  The President completed his day after a 3 PM Ambassador Credentialing Ceremony. Sometime in between, he signed 20 bills into law, and held a policy meeting in the Cabinet Room.
• While Obama was holding a news conference, VP Biden met with Members of the House of Representatives.

Friday, January 11, 2013

• President Obama met with President Karzai of Afghanistan for 3 hours or so. First, they held a restricted bilateral meeting at 10:30. Then, they had lunch. Lastly, they held a joint press conference at 1:15 PM.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

• Mr. Obama received a daily briefing at 10:30 AM. Then at 1:30, he make a personnel announcement nominating Jack Lew as Secretary of the Treasury. He also held a meeting with advisers in the Roosevelt Room. In between, he called the University of Alabama football coach and congratulated him on winning the BCS Championship. Plus, he signed the Former President's Protection Act of 2012 and several other Acts.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

• President Obama began the day with a 10:00 AM daily briefing. He was then free until 4:45 PM when he hosted the cast and crew of 1600 Penn for a private screening at the White House.